Schnuck Markets names new chief people officer

ST. LOUIS – Debra Ogston has been appointed as the new chief people officer at Schnuck Markets, reporting to Anthony Hucker, chief operating officer, the company announced. Ogston also will serve on the senior management team that sets the direction for the company.

Ogston will transition into the roll formerly held by Rick Frede, who announced plans to retire in the fall of 2015. Formerly a VP human resources at Johnson Controls of Milwaukee, Wis., Ogston brings 23 years of experience into her duties of overseeing HR functions. Her responsibilities will include all aspects of HR, including talent and leadership development within the organization of 15,000 teammates in stores, offices, warehouses and facilities across the Midwest.

“We are excited to have Debra on board, as she brings a wealth of talent and experience that will help us leverage the talents of our greatest resources, our teammates, as we deliver on our mission to nourish people’s lives,” Hucker said. “Debra has the world-class expertise we need to help set direction and bring a new perspective to how Schnucks identifies, recruits, trains and promotes world-class talent in service of our customers.”

Ogston holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and an MBA in industrial and labor relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Throughout her career she has drawn upon her business background to transform HR and drive results through people.

While at Johnson Controls, Ogston was one of a cadre of VPs assigned to address HR needs across the organization of 170,000 people. Ogston’s responsibilities then included managing teams engaged in streamlining processes and integrating HR systems in locations around the world. Prior to that, she worked for food and beverage leaders, including E. & J. Gallo Winery of California, Pepsi Bottling Group and Kraft Foods/Nabisco.

Ogston and her husband, Joseph Saker, have one daughter and are new residents of St. Charles, Mo.

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PQA announces promotions and appointment of second Executive Fellow

SPRINGFIELD, Va. — The Pharmacy Quality Alliance on Friday announced several changes to the PQA staff team, effective July 7.

Jackie Green, PQA's current VP operations and business development is being promoted to serve as PQA COO, and Samuel Stolpe is being promoted to director of Quality Strategies from his role as the associate director of Quality Initiatives.

Samuel Stolpe

Additionally, PQA appointed its second executive fellow, Maria Scarlatos.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with a talented and committed group of professionals," said Laura Cranston, executive director of the PQA. "PQA's dedicated team often wears multiple hats and takes pride in their ability to be highly responsive to our members and nimble in our decision-making processes. We look forward to the continued contributions of Sam and Jackie, and to providing a high-quality fellowship experience for the organization's second fellow, Maria Scarlatos."

Green has been with PQA for more than five years and manages a very diverse set of responsibilities, including finance and operations, member relations, meetings and human resource functions, the Alliance stated. Green works closely with all new member organizations to ensure a full integration into the workgroup infrastructure within PQA at the earliest stages, helping members gain the most from their PQA membership, the association added.

Stolpe has worked for PQA for the previous two years. His new responsibilities include leading PQA's efforts in capturing the voice of the patient in PQA's measure development process through the newly launched PQA's Patient Advisory Panel. He also has taken the lead in another strategic initiative for PQA, the launch of PQA's Adult Immunization Task Force. Stolpe is responsible for directing PQA's research projects and strategic initiatives. His most recent work has been focused on the adherence impact of medication synchronization, and the use of motivational interviewing techniques by pharmacists at the point of dispensing. Stolpe's work on PQA educational initiatives includes oversight of the Academic Affairs Committee, the PQA Ambassador Program and the newly revised Educating Pharmacists in Quality CE training program designed for front-line pharmacists, managed care executives and future leaders within medication use quality.

Stolpe is a frequent lecturer on medication use safety and effectiveness, and serves as an adjunct faculty member where he teaches health policy. Stolpe has represented PQA in several international efforts this past year, including presentations in Japan and Hungary. And he continues to practice pharmacy by working in a local community pharmacy.

Scarlatos, who joined as PQA's second Executive Fellow, is a recent graduate of the School of Pharmacy at Northeastern University's Bouvé College of Health Sciences. She brings professional work experiences from Tufts Medical Center and MedVentive, where she collaborated with two pioneer ACOs: Beth Israel Deaconess Care Organization and Mount Auburn Cambridge Independent Practice Association.

During her pharmacy practice experiences, Scarlatos also worked with organizations consulting for long-term care facilities and managed Medicaid in Massachusetts.

Pulitzer Prize-winner Peggy Noonan, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and singer Diana Ross now feature on the schedule for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting, slated for April 21-24 in Palm Beach, Fla.

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